Dharma Is Only Effective When Perfumed into Manas

Before attaining the fruition of enlightenment, the Dharma must permeate the manas (mental faculty). When manas is influenced by wholesome dharmas, it undergoes transformation, leading to changes in both body and mind. This is especially true at the moment of realizing the fruition; that is when it can be called the power of samadhi.

If, during the process of learning the Dharma, the teachings do not permeate the manas but are merely absorbed and understood by the conscious mind, the manas will remain unchanged as before. Without transformation in body, mind, and the perceived world, the severance of self-view and the attainment of fruition will remain distant and unattainable. Even if the manas is influenced before fruition, if the degree of permeation is insufficient, one cannot sever self-view or realize enlightenment. Therefore, the transformation of body and mind, the alteration of physical, verbal, and mental actions, the severance of self-view, and the realization of one's true nature all require the manas to be thoroughly permeated to a significant degree. A slight change in the manas is insufficient. To be completely transformed, one must fundamentally alter the manas, eliminate its afflictions and defilements, and eradicate the five grades of afflictions related to deliberation in the desire realm. Only then can karmic seeds be stored in the Alaya consciousness, ensuring rebirth in the wholesome paths of humans or devas in future lives, free from falling into the three lower realms.

There are still those who stubbornly cling to the notion that enlightenment is attained through the conscious mind alone, opposing the concept of realization through the manas. They remain obstinately unyielding and inflexible, truly beyond redemption.